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With her deep government experience, Pam Wheelock was a natural choice to step in as acting commissioner at the Minnesota Department Human Services to try and stabilize the state’s largest agency after weeks of turmoil.

DFL Gov. Tim Walz tapped her for the job following the 

resignations this week of commissioner Tony Lourey and his chief of staff

. Two other top officials in the department 

Wheelock told MPR News on Friday she’s focused on moving DHS forward and that there are no “smoking gun” issues to be probed in the wake of the resignations. She said she has “great respect” for Lourey.

Managing the massive agency is a “hard, tough job, maybe the toughest one” in government, she said.

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Cathy Wurzer

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Acting Human Services Commissioner Pam Wheelock told MPR News on Friday there are  no “smoking gun” issues in the wake of the resignation of commissioner Tony Lourey, and that she's focused on providing stability.

Staff at the Minnesota Department of Human Services are regrouping after a tumultuous week.

'Toughest' job in government? Wheelock on what's next at DHS

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